davStand in the cough-and-cold aisle and you'll see dozens of boxes, but most cough medicines do one of two opposite jobs. An expectorant helps you cough mucus up and out. A cough suppressant helps you cough less. Picking the right one starts with knowing which kind of cough you have.
What an expectorant does
An expectorant helps loosen phlegm and thin the mucus in your airways, so each cough brings more of it up. The only expectorant the FDA allows in nonprescription medicines is guaifenesin.
An expectorant doesn't stop you from coughing. It makes the coughing you do more productive, which is the point when your chest feels heavy and congested.
What a cough suppressant does
A cough suppressant quiets the urge to cough. The most common one in nonprescription products is dextromethorphan, often shown as "DM" on the box. It works on the part of the brain that controls the cough reflex.
A suppressant is meant for a dry, hacking cough that brings nothing up but keeps you awake or irritates your throat.
Side by side
|
|
Expectorant |
Cough suppressant |
|
Common ingredient |
Guaifenesin |
Dextromethorphan ("DM") |
|
What it does |
Thins and loosens mucus so coughs clear it |
Reduces the urge to cough |
|
Best matched to |
A chesty cough with phlegm or congestion |
A dry, tickly cough with nothing to bring up |
|
Key label caution |
Ask a doctor first for a chronic cough or one with excessive phlegm |
Do not use with an MAO inhibitor or within 2 weeks of stopping one |
How to choose
Ask yourself one question: is this cough bringing anything up?
• Yes, it's wet or chesty. Your body is trying to clear mucus. An expectorant works with that effort.
• No, it's dry and tickly. There's nothing to clear, so a suppressant may help you rest.
• Not sure. Our next post, Wet Cough or Dry Cough? How to Tell the Difference, walks through the signs.
What about combination products?
Many products combine guaifenesin with dextromethorphan, a decongestant, a pain reliever, or an antihistamine. These can be convenient, but you may end up taking ingredients for symptoms you don't have.
A single-ingredient product lets you treat only what's bothering you. It also makes it easier to avoid doubling up when you take more than one cold medicine. If you're unsure which combination fits your symptoms, a pharmacist can help you sort it out in a minute.
When to see a doctor
Any cough medicine is for short-term relief. Stop use and ask a doctor if a cough lasts more than 7 days, comes back, or occurs with a fever, rash or persistent headache. A cough that comes with chest pain, shortness of breath or wheezing needs prompt medical attention.
The bottom line
Wet cough: think expectorant. Dry cough: think suppressant. When your chest is congested, Guai-Aid® Ultra Pure Expectorant gives you guaifenesin and nothing extra: no dyes and no extra fillers, made in the USA. Shop Guai-Aid or view the Drug Facts.
Want the science behind it? Read The Pharmacology of Guaifenesin: How an Expectorant Works in the Body.
Read and follow the Drug Facts label. Ask a pharmacist or doctor if you have questions.